...or just a pet. He was family. Lomi Marcelo (October 2011 - January 2016)
Today is one of those times when I hope fervently that dogs truly did have souls. If they did, I am sure that our Lomi is now barking gloriously - all in his intelligent stance and admirable beauty - in heaven. And, because he simply can't help it, he would be ordering other dogs about, believing that he is far superior than them, because he knows he was not just a dog nor a pet. He was a well-loved member of a family - respected for his intelligence, adored for his canine beauty, and loved for his loyalty and sense of family.
Today, his mission on earth was accomplished, and he now earned his place in heaven to wag his tail about, and bark like he knew what he was "talking" about. While it hurts to let him go... we would hate for him to suffer physically. God knows, those vocal cords were made for barking proudly, and communicating intelligently with a touch of arrogance and candor, not for moaning in pain. In fact, never for moaning in pain... not for our Lomi. Therefore, with heavy hearts, we accept his destiny and ours, and we let him go as he succumbed to lung tumor and heart failure.
Rest in peace, Lomi boy... if you can, that is, 'cause we know you'd insist on yelling through your high-pitch barking as if you knew it all! And, you probably do, too!
...on this beautiful occasion of Jesus Christ's birthday.
While the world continues to swirl in dizzying activities, we retreat in the solemnity of rare solitude to reflect on God's greatest gift to mankind - His only begotten Son - to redeem us from the bondage of sins, so we all can live in the peaceful beauty of God's love for all eternity.
Lord Jesus, may we keep growing in love and faith to follow you, knowing that you are the Way to the Father, the Truth, and the Life. May we find the courage and the wisdom to follow the example of your blessed mother, the Virgin Mary, and St. Joseph, her husband, whose faithful obedience allowed the Father to show His love and mercy to us through you - the very meaning of the nativity. May you stay in our midst as we celebrate your birth so we don't lose sight of the path to the Father. Amen.
Merry Christmas to one and all! :)
***
Photo credit: Thanks to my sister for taking this photo-on-an-impulse, while we prepared to celebrate Christmas with our family.
I had to borrow this photo of Prince Harry from the official Instagram account of Kensington Palace. There is something beautifully haunting and refreshing about this photo of H hugging a sedated elephant during his three-month trip to Africa on wildlife conservation mission. He was lamenting how "30,000 elephants we slaughtered last year alone" for their tusks. With the photo above, he expressed his protest about how wildlife has been suffering to extinction because of unscrupulous practices... "a pointless waste of beauty," he says. There is honesty in it, much emotion and some sense of serenity being one with the 'big boy' of the wildlife. Of course, the artistry in the way the photo was envisioned and executed is just wonderful. I thought the moment needs to be preserved in this on-line repository of mine. So, here it is!
So, now you know why I am sooooo looking forward to... retirement! :) So much to look forward to, I can't wait!
***
Photo credit: The photo belongs to Prince Harry, posted on the Kensington Palace official Instagram account on 2 December 2015. Thanks for the loan of the photo.
...it's all about lessons in teamwork. ====================================================================== by PAM
"What a kick! "Beautiful, beautiful Rugby from New Zealand."
"It's New Zealand's! And it's history - confirmed. "The All Blacks, still the kings of World Rugby."
It's been a while since I had an adrenaline rush from an exciting sports match. In fact, I'm beginning to feel kinda 'lifeless' these days... just surviving on high dosage of 'excitement at work' - if there's such a thing, that is - which leaves me 'comatose' from exhaustion after the adrenaline rush subsided... because that's what work does. I did see 'this and that' sporting event lately... and they kinda drew some flat "woohoo" from me... just because the inspiration was short on spirited runs, and bereft of deep interest on my part admittedly.
Highlights from the Rugby World Cup 2015 final match between NZ All Blacks and Aussie Wallabies via Fox Sports 2.
Anyway, you get the picture... I've been living a 'boring' life - no time to appreciate other forms of excitement outside the suffocating confines of huge responsibility and imposing challenges that come with the 'territory' conquered at work with my brilliant team.
I never thought that I'd get a good slamming dose of excitement from the Rugby World Cup 2015 (RWC 2015) final match between New Zealand's All Blacks and Australia's Wallabies... just a while ago. Boy, that was a burgeoning dose of pure adrenaline right there! NZ's All Blacks routed the Wallabies, 34-17, to retain the Webb Ellis Cup, which they collected in 2011, making NZ the first country to retain the Cup, and the first country to become World Champion three times. What a match indeed! And, I cannot thank Prince Harry of Wales enough for introducing me to this 'passion' of his. :) Yes, the Prince sort of introduced the game to me - indirectly, that is (I'm not that lucky!)... through press releases from the Kensington Palace on Twitter. :) Gosh, but of course, I wish I knew the Prince personally just because he seems humorous, compassionate, and real. But that's another topic for a post... if I'd get lucky enough to find the time for it, that is. :) After seeing a bit of matches in the Group Stage of RWC 2015, and those quarter final matches between Australia and Scotland, New Zealand and France, and South Africa and Wales, I was hooked! I had to go on-line and educate myself with the rules of the game... and, I admit, it wasn't easy. I'm still struggling to understand the rules... and getting used to terms like "scrum", "ruck", and what have you. But what I am certain of is the way the players in the attacking side strategize to set one of them to go for a try, and the way the opposing team set up to stop the other side is absolutely beautiful to watch! And, I thought you only get to be fascinated by brilliant team tactics in football (soccer). I was wrong. Rugby is the real deal, too! It's a wonderful balance of intelligent team strategy, physicality with a huge dose of roughness, and fun. Love it! With the exception of tennis, I've always preferred team sports over individual sports. I like the interaction among players in a team. I love watching the way a number of individuals move in an invisible woven fabric of harmonious rhythm, moving as one, thinking as one, eyes fixed on a common goal, moving forward like one body... and then celebrating triumphantly after reaching their goal. I believe that is called 'Teamwork'... and the victory always seems sweeter when shared with teammates. I cannot help but feel the adrenaline rush that propel the team to move forward, and feel the excitement of winning. Teamwork in team sports inspires me as a leader. Great coaches like Pep Guardiola challenge me to think outside the box, to recognize talents in my team and figure out a
The best Team emerged victorious... NZ's All Blacks!
way to optimize their talents to work for the benefit of the team. And great teams, like FC Barcelona - 'more than a club' - inspire me to view winning differently... not for personal glory and achieving personal ambition, but making a difference in people's lives with achievements that are pleasing to God. One wise person always tells me that there is "no OJT for leadership, it's either you've got it or you don't". In response, I always tell him, "yeah, but there's football, and all sorts of team sports that a leader could watch... to inspire teamwork, to learn coaching that brings out the best in every individual in the team, to come up with inspired team strategy... and succeed - as a team." And I believe that with all my heart. Today, the 'beautiful men' in All Blacks affirmed these. There were brilliant individual performances, but they all contributed to the Team's goal. In the end, it's not about the brilliant man with the nerves of steel, Dan Carter, or the legendary captain, Richie McCaw, or the ferocious Ma'a Nonu, or anyone else... it's all about New Zealand... it's all about All Blacks... and it's all about the love and passion for Rugby. And, what a great fun it all is for the fans of the game! Huge CONGRATS to All Blacks! And, hey, the Wallabies were worthy championship contenders, too. So, congrats to them , too! And, huge congrats to England for hosting a really exciting tournament! And since the adrenaline surge refuses to subside, why don't we soak it up? So, here they are again....
"We got the job done tonight, so it's great." "He gets this chance to do something now that nobody else has done: to hold on to a second World Cup, a third Cup - for his nation."
*** Video credit: Thanks, YouTube, for the video links. Photo credits: (1) I took all the photos from the live cablecast of Fox Sports 2 - thanks. (2) Thanks, Rex photo via www.telegraph.co.uk. ***
I guess we can call this a special edition of "Saturday photo"... except that, it's a collage of photos, a collage of memories, a wealth of experiences over the last three years.
'Exhilarating' does not cut it... not even 'incredible', but yeah, it is absolutely unforgettable!
Three years... three years of all-out bone-breaking, heart-wrenching, gut-smashing, dizzying, passionate service... just utterly incredible! Three years ago, I was headed to a 'new adventure' somewhere 'exotic and wonderful' when I was called all of a sudden to serve. It was so unexpected, so bewildering precisely because serving as Dean of our Faculty of Engineering in the University of Santo Tomas cannot be any more remote in my mind than the north pole is the opposite of the south! But, with the rich and long history of the Faculty, and the many wonderful people who served it as Dean, to be called to serve it was indeed very humbling. And I did not have enough pride to say no. So I closed my eyes, sought the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and searched my heart for God's answer. While my mind struggled with my heart, a powerful voice that came 'booming' from the very core of my heart 'whispered silence', a silence so profound and awe-inspiring... and, in my mind, light shone through a path that was strewn with glimmering letters. The letters were arranged in such a way that they say 'service'. In the horizon, I saw a glorious beauty where the Faculty shone in a way that I've never seen it shine before. But along the dream-like walls lining up the path are frightening challenges, towering tasks that were threatening to swallow me alive. They all seemed insurmountable, unconquerable. There were alluring temptations to enjoy the glory of the Dean's seat... which, I imagined, were irresistible to many of those who came and went to serve, and especially to those who covet the seat. And there were beautiful jewels that shone like pure white light - gifts - that can be won to bring at the foot of God's throne in a humbling sacrifice. There were gifts of friendship among colleagues, gifts of camaraderie with friends in and out of the University that leads to working as a powerful Team, gifts of service that enable our students and colleagues to realize their full potentials, gifts of creating new and innovative strategies that propel the Faculty to conquer many uncharted territories, beautiful assorted gifts of joyful service. To me, those gifts and the opportunity to bring them at the foot of God's throne as offering were irresistible, no matter how burgeoning the sacrifices that I needed to make in exchange. I believe only a few are called to have the opportunity to serve in that way... and nothing is more humbling. And so, I said 'yes'. I then prayed with all my heart as I started walking along the path. The rest is history. And I believe that history has been kind... and so, my heart sings joyfully... especially, that the glorious beauty that I saw in the horizon when I started walking the difficult and challenging path turned out to be real... and the joy that I feel in every beat of my heart is very real, too. It's a beauty that is impossible to even imagine, a beauty that I wouldn't have the inkling of a means to even imagine if I didn't heed the call to serve... because such beauty can only come from heartfelt service - leadership through service. And, I thank God with all my heart for it all. Amen. ***
...to get going. ============================================================ by PAM I spent a few hours today just staring at the ceiling, reading some, and writing a bit... just looking for inspiration... a little reason to keep doing what I currently do. And then, I thought of YouTube... why not? They have plenty of "inspirational stuff" on YouTube, have't they? And, I found this...
"It makes me more determined than ever that this wonderful,
awe-inspiring children should have happier and healthier lives.
And I hope that my mother would be proud, too.
"I'd like to think I'm just one of the lads, whether am or not."
...and, oddly enough, my inspiration wires went a bit tingling in a beautifully sweet buzz. Yeah, I'm all shallow like that... but what else is new, right? :)
I know, I'm more than a year late to be greeting Prince Harry on his 30th birthday, but I'm really amazed to see that "the spare" has grown to become this really lovely man, grown to be his own man. The "wild child" has grown to this disarmingly charming man who invokes raw emotion from people, and inspires them to do what they do with real passion and joy... no regrets, no reservation for as long as what they feel in doing what they do is real, welling from love and deep caring. And then, quite automatically, this attitude leads to living a truly meaningful life. Happy belated 30th birthday, H!
***
Video credit: Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.
It's that season. Work is incredibly heavy, weather is bad, sleepless nights... and then you have situations that make your blood boil. And, what do you have? A good recipe for headache, a perfect concoction for an indefinite confinement in bed with your 'old friend' called flu, that's what! What can I say, the spirit is very willing to keep going, but the flu says things are tearing the body apart, and it's so not good. Therefore, flu is taking charge because the body needs to recover, and it's owner is such a slave driver! Therefore, sorry work, but to bed, will this body be, it must be... for a few days.
...for the sake of shedding tears. ==================================================================== by PAM Uhm... do you watch HGTV's 'Cousins Undercover'? Yes? So, then you know that when you start shedding tears when the emotional house owners finally see their transformed house in spite of John Colaneri's hysterically giddy mood, you might just be too stressed out, and are just looking for an opportunity to let your frustration out without appearing like your're complaining, or that you're being a wuss! :) And then you cry your eyes out until you admit to yourself that you're being silly. So then you focus on the Italian good looks of Anthony Carrino (oy!), and you know, it'll be alright? Right? Right! :) See, this is the most wonderful thing about being single... you can crush on all the Anthonys and the Harveys (Specter, of 'Suits', who else?) in the world, and nobody's gonna be rolling their eyes on you. Hmm... did I speak too soon? ;) Going back to the correlation between stress and TV tearjerkers, I think that, with the depth and breadth of my stress right now, this is what I need...
@23:34 min - 25:04 min Fr. Walker : Why are you here (in the church)?
Mike Ross: Because I'm afraid!
...to let some steam off. Why? Well, this 'Suits' episode is all about mistakes on top of mistakes, buried under the rush of realities that the characters needed to deal with every single day. The consequence of their mistakes came biting the behind of every single one of them when something finally gave. And it happened in this episode. I can relate to the characters because I'm afraid I may have made a BIG mistake - I mean, huge - in choosing a person to help lead a very important initiative, one that's critical to our Organization's sustained growth... and I'm paying the price right now. Per previous experiences with other people, I thought that I could help that person to want to "reform" by showing my confidence in that person to lead something important despite the person's awful leadership track record. Idealism? Misguided optimism? Or, foolishness, perhaps, on my part? Whatever it was, it was a misstep, because as it turned out, one wise person who warned me about "old dogs not being able to learn new tricks" was right. What can I say, I chose to see the "goodness" in the "dog"? Dear me! Now, I realized, the "dog" isn't actually "old"... it's just deranged - by choice! It's too selfish to lead. And, I've put it off the leash! What a disaster waiting to happen!
I admit, it was a gamble... which I feel I'm losing right now. That is, if I wouldn't be able to muster the courage to set aside 'mushiness' and cage the 'deranged animal' as soon as possible. Needless to say, I am utterly disappointed with myself... not so much because I committed a misstep, but because I stubbornly believed that the goodness in every person, no matter how little, always prevails when common good is at stake. In this instance, I am convinced that this idealistic belief is not always true... apparently, for some people, selfishness prevails. And, since I made the decision, no matter what, I am responsible for that misstep. The good news is, it's not too late. There is time to correct the mistake before this ugly head of consequences grew to a dispicable monstrosity. So, yeah, pass me that box of tissue will ya, this 'Suits' episode is such a massive tearjerker, it's makin' me weep! And, yeah, the screenplay, editing, acting and direction are brilliant, too. Too good, they make me weep! Some people have all the talents. *weep*
See, idealism can't only lead to obesity... it can also bite your behind like a 'mad dog'! Oy, I need a puppy.
But, more than a 'puppy', I need to act - fast!
*** Video credit: Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.
Paradise... what I wouldn't do to be in this place right now! "Beam me up, Scotty!"
All parts of my body ache right now... abused to their capacity to endure pain. It would be nice to take a plunge in that blue water, and allow the thick foam to massage hurting muscles. It would be nice to float on the water, just staring at the blue skies above and the lush green foliage around, surrounded by the healing blue water and the quiet serenity of the place. Calm, clean, natural beauty... just amazing!
*** About the photo: This was taken from one of the beaches at the Le Grand Coastal Trail in Esperance, Western Australia. ***
...is dying. Surely though, it doesn't have to be that way. ================================================================ by PAM I have been reading again... I mean, reading fiction again. Going into adulthood, it has been one of my fave hobbies that I take refuge in whenever reality becomes a bit 'unbearable'. Growing up, it was some sort of 'addiction', the one 'vice' that I used to indulged myself. It was where most of my money went... and I say it was an investment that was worth every centavo. It stretched imagination to a vividness that links fiction to a creative reality. As a result, I feel that the creative side of my brain has always been 'well-exercised', and it helps now as I try very hard to be creative in leadership. 'Creative in leadership'... oh, God, how I wish that was true! The only thing is I can only wish for it! Fiction or non-fiction, I love reading... and writing, obviously. The past how many months, however, had been grim as far as reading per se is concerned. Too much work... too many worrying stuff in my head, too many concerns that demand most of my waking hours... and sleeping time, too. Too much! Even my metabolism seems to protest... I have been gaining weight, even when I'm usually forced to skip meals! The extra fat around my tummy is so uncomfortable, so is the extra weight in my arms... they make movements limited - it's utterly frustrating! I'm very sure the metabolism problem is not just due to age... it's more due to the 'unhealthy lifestyle' that I lead these days in my desire to satisfactorily render a service that's way beyond what is expected of me. Uh-huh, idealism can lead to obesity, I tell ya! ;)
"It's my feeling we'll win in the end.
I won't harm you or touch your defenses, vanity and security.
Don't you forget about me."
My fave hobby has taken the back seat - way behind many 'priority activities', activities that are supposed to make life worth living for... mostly for others, or so my 'idealism gauge' suggests.
But over the past two weeks, I found myself browsing my cyber library with materials to read where I can get lost in the fragrant garden of creativity in fiction. In fact I was surprised when I realized that I've read five books in seven days in spite of my heavy schedule! And I was even more surprised that three of those five books were ones I've read several times already in my teenage days. I read through, closing my eyes here and there, and realizing that I've almost memorized the words... and that most of my involuntary expressions now were borrowed from the
Letting go, thankful for a full life lived without regrets.
heroines in the books I read while I was growing up. It should spook me a bit, shouldn't it? But, nah. In fact, I think I'm appreciating my childhood... my 'growing-up years' were kinda cool. My childhood wasn't perfect, that's for sure, but those years were remarkable as they shaped the kind of person that I've become. And, based on the level of fulfillment that I'm feeling now, I deeply appreciate my childhood. The wonderful experience that those years held was partly because of the influence of a family member, my uncle, who passed away recently. Like my old books, he completed my childhood... planted some dreams worth pursuing in my head and in my heart. And now that I am chasing my dreams with much gusto and incredible feeling of fulfillment, I give thanks to God for gifting me and my siblings with his presence in the early years of our lives, which shaped our dreams and aspirations towards our adulthood.
Sure, I can be happier now despite the many gifts from God that I immensely enjoy. But hey, isn't that what faith is about? You let God direct your life... accept His will, His gifts without question and use them productively to praise Him, glorify Him, hoping in his love that He will lead you towards the fulfillment of the most precious dreams you hold closest to your heart.
Sometimes, you just have to hang in there... keep hoping, keep wishing, keeping the faith... keeping an eye on the horizon with hopeful anticipation - the quiet and peaceful horizon where a new day is about to burst in its wonderful glory! And you calm your restless heart with God's assuring peace and love.
Life goes on.
*** Video credit: Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.
